SILANG SERIES THREE.3

Silang Series

Written as part of the course requirements for AS 270, Philippine Arts and Society, First Semester 2010-2011 by Phillip N.A.L.Medina, MA Art Studies Major in Museum Studies.In our broad study of the Philippine Arts and Society, where topics can be interestingly diverse and boundless uncovering wonders about our national identity, I choose to present my paper on a micro-level to gain insights on local identity. I aim to come up with a series that shall serve as my preliminary studies for my MA thesis in uncovering the possibilities of coming up a community museum for my hometown which can be an effective learning institution of history and heritage. As a course requirement, these papers shall focus on issues and concerns regarding three periods in our cultural history: the indigenous or pre-colonial period, the Spanish or colonial period and the American or neo-colonial period. On each, I have chosen topics related to arts and society which can be a useful material as I further explore the chronological narratives of my thesis or discuss the ways and processes of material collection for the proposed community museum.

THREE. American Legacies: Photographically captured in the 1920s-1930s

Americans are known for their contribution in education, health and sanitation. Largely their urban planning development revolved on these thrusts. Large-scale infrastructure program had been planned nation-wide. Schools and universities were rebuilt and formal schooling was reorganized using the American curriculum. Government buildings followed suit. Public offices and institutions inManilawere given a facelift if not an overhaul to fulfill the vision of City Beautiful.

Daniel Burnham and William Parsons schematically change the landscape of the capital and submits recommendation for rural development. Such is part of the grand civilizing scheme, Americans has to supplant existing cultural system through the establishment of new sociopolitical criteria under the persuasive theme of “benevolent assimiliation” (Lico, 2003:27). If in the time of the Spanish regime, society revolves around the space and activities of the church, Americans will create new centers of growth and development centered on government, commerce and recreation.

As early as 1905, Silang received a government project from the Bureau of Public Works (1905 Report; p.622) to build a school building. The school building designed was Parson’s most recognizable architectural legacy and had been an icon of American colonial education and its program of assimilation— the Gabaldon schoolhouse (Lico, 2003:32). He designed 15 prototype designs adopting the vernacular elements in style and architectural function.

Silang Central School Bureau of Public Works (1905 Report; p.622)

From the 23rd Annual Report of the Bureau of Education released in 1922, a completed photo of theSilangElementary School building was published. Its first teacher is Guillermo Bayan appointed in June 12, 1905 who had been a licensed teacher in Silang in 1874. D.C. Fischer is the American teacher stationed in theSilangSchool since 1902.

The vernacular structure featured a raised foundation made from concrete steps and posts with wooden floor slabs. Structural walls were made of wood with large windows using capiz shells instead of glass to improve ventilation and maximize natural light. Roofs were of galvanized iron, slightly pitched with overhangs reaching the walls to protect the windows from direct sunlight and sudden gush of tropical rain.

Also in this period, urban development was fast. More roads were constructed in Silang to give way to new developments such as the school, the new market site and new residential areas. Calle Nueva or literally new street was constructed to open additional residential areas. Calle Cementerio on the other hands was built to give access to the new cemetery site, market and school.

In matters of sanitation, cemeteries were transferred away from the center. In the Spanish period, the Silang cemetery was only 150 brazas (roughly 120 meters) away from the church (Lubang, 2007). The Americans moved to a new site of about 700 meters away and with a third site of almost 2 kilometers away. The map on the right shows the new location of the cemetery as well the streets of the late 1920s.

Commerce flourished in the late 19th century with production of cash crops. In Silang, coffee and manila hemp were at boom. Local farmer grew in wealth and constructed and remodeled their houses in American style. Calle Annunciata nowMadlansacay street still shows a bungalow type house. New residential areas like Calle San Agustin now E. Gonzales has chalet-type houses with slightly raised foundations and glass panes. Old Spanish type houses were given a facelift with additions of multi-colored glass panes and art deco motifs. Local enterprise even flourished. With the rising abaca production comes abaca weaving which also gave rise to barangay names such as Bulihan and Lalaan. Known as the Tagal braid hats, Silang produced such item ready for commerce, and even export (Agri Review, 1922:plate 7). Consequently, as stated in the Bulletin Bureau of Public Works 1912-1913, roads linking Silang to Zapote and Silang to Dasmarinas started in 1912-13 to further improve trade and commerce.

Along with roads, bridges were constructed to strengthen existing infrastructure made from bamboo and wood.IbaBridgewas among the first to be constructed as captured in a private collection photo.

In 1920, civic leaders gathered funds to build a monument in honor of Dr. Jose Rizal in the town plaza fronting the church. What used to be part of the church grounds, the land was publicly appropriated to be part of the public plaza. Also note that in the 1920, the municipal building was not yet constructed.

Taken during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Rizal monument in 1918. On the left is the finished monument in 1920.

Collection of Bayan Family

The municipal hall on the other hand was contructed sometime in the early 30s with the evidence of a photo in 1935. The government building of Silang is very much similar to that of Indang, probably constructed on the same year. The municipal hall has undergone changes and renovations in 1992 and in 2004 significantly changing its façade but retaining the concrete four post portico.

Above is the photo taken in 1935. The municipal hall in the 90s on the right. To date, a balcony was constructed to cover the entire second floor.

Lastly, sites of recreation were identified and constructed. In 1930s, the first cinema house was built in Silang located at the end of Calle Candelaria now V.ToledoStreet. With its imposing high streamlined art deco façade, it had served the town’s cinematic enjoyment for almost 50 years.

Already dilapidated in the 90s, it was closed and eventually demolished in 2004 due to public safety and expansion of the market place. The only expansion of art deco building in Silang now lost.

Silang Cinema. rear end of the road. Calle Candelaria now V. Toledo St. Collection of Ricardo Mercado

The photo on the left shows the cinema on the rear view. Taken in the 1930s

The American period had used architecture as a neocolonial tool. Ruralscapes had changed tremendously with the various constructions of public offices and spaces as well as areas for commerce.

But the town is rapidly changing and the locals have little, if not no conservation consciousness at all.

If the case will be the same as with the Silang cinema, these local architectural treasures of the American era would soon be all lost in the name of progress.

2 thoughts on “SILANG SERIES THREE.3”

I was born in the 90s. Growing up, I learned that Silang is a very old Spanish town, yet I don’t see anything ‘old’ anywhere here, except for the church. Commercial and public spaces cater to local population, so I don’t think external demands ask for those demolitions or renovations.
There is always a way to restore structures, but it seems to me that most people in Silang hate places that look ‘old’ – I don’t know if it’s due to lack of consciousness or just poor, commercialized taste.

Are there existing landmarks or structures worth visiting here in Silang? What can young people do to save them?
I just hope Silang will not end up like another trashy Manila.

Thank you for that insight. Yes, it’s really sad not to see much of our heritage in our streets. Most of these structures were destroyed to give way for “progress”. Though our notion for development is in question, there are progressive efforts being made by the local parish and the government to revive the locality’s interest in heritage conservation.

Few months ago, the Parish reorganized a group for culture and heritage preservation, The Silang Parish Council for Culture and Heritage. Its immediate project is to institutionalized the old IJA convent into a museum.

If you and your friends wish to volunteer in this pioneering work, just contact us.

WELCOME

Welcome to the virtual museum of Silang, Cavite, an online venue to showcase the rich local history of one of the oldest towns of the Philippines.
This will provide viewers with a glimpse of a forgotten world highlighting various changes in society, government, culture and rural landscape.
Its virtual gallery brings together old photographs courtesy of the local people, from antiquarian books and private collections, and the National Archives. It also offers the local community a venue to discuss local history and to fill in the vacuum of information on the internet on local historical heritage.
Contributors are very much welcome to join in this historical venture.